Organic package for Maize-Potato-Okra System is given below:-
1.Maize (grain)
Maize varieties:
Variety ‘Star-56’ and other low input requiring and resistant varieties to insect pest and diseases.
Sowing time:
The first week of July. To escape water logging maize should be sown on ridges in the ridge and furrow system of sowing.
Seed rate:
20 kg/ha. Organically certified seed should be preferred for sowing.
Spacing:
Row to row 60 cm and plant to plant 20 cm distance should be maintained.
Nutrient management:
- Well, rotten FYM @ 8.0 t/ha should be incorporated into the soil at least 20 days before sowing.
- Vermicompost @ 4.0 t/ ha is top dressed before second irrigation.
- Biofertilizers like Azotobactor (nitrogen fixer) and Phosphorus. Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) each should be added @10 kg/ha in the soil after final land preparation.
Water management:
Depending upon the amount and frequency of rains during the growing season 3-4 irrigations are sufficient.
Weed management:
Maize being a widely spaced crop, weeds can be managed by 1-2 manual intercultural operations.
Plant protection:
- Field release of Tricho-cards (Tricogramma chilonis) 3-4 times @ 30
cards/ha for stem borer. - Seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescence culture @ 4 kg/ha for stalk
rot.
2.Potato
Potato varieties:
Variety ‘Chipsona-3’ and other low input requiring and resistant varieties to insect pest and diseases.
Sowing time:
Up to last week of October.
Seed rate:
30 q tubers/ ha. Organically certified tubers should be preferred for sowing.
Spacing:
Row to row 60 cm and plant to plant 20 cm distance should be maintained.
Nutrient management:
- Well rotten FYM @ 14.0 t/ha should be incorporated into the soil at least 20 days
before planting. - Vermicompost @ 7.0 t/ ha is top dressed before second irrigation.
- Biofertilizers like Azotobactor (nitrogen fixer) and Phosphorus Solubilizing. Bacteria (PSB) each of are added @10 kg/ha in the soil after final land preparation.
Water management:
Potato can be successfully raised by applying five irrigations besides pre-sowing irrigation.
Weed management:
Weeds under organic cultivation of potato can be easily managed by 2 manual weedings.
Plant protection:
- Grow resistant varieties for late blight
- Timely sowing to avoid early blight
3.Okra
Okra varieties:
Variety ‘Arka Anamica’ and other low input requiring and resistant varieties to insect pest and
diseases.
Sowing time:
The second week of March.
Seed rate:
18 kg/ ha. Organically certified seed should be preferred for sowing.
Spacing:
Row to row 45 cm and plant to plant 30 cm distance should be maintained.
Nutrient management:
- Well, rotten FYM @ 8.0 t/ha should be incorporated into the soil at least 20 days before planting.
- Vermicompost @ 4.0 t/ ha is top dressed before second irrigation.
- Biofertilizers like Azotobactor (nitrogen fixer) and Phosphorus Solubilizing.Bacteria (PSB) each should be added @10 kg/ha in the soil after final land preparation.
Water management:
For proper growth and optimum yield 10-11 irrigations are sufficient.
Weed management:
Depending upon the severity of weeds, weeds can be managed by 2-3 manual weedings.
Plant protection :
- Grow resistant varieties
- The spray of neem based insecticides to avoid insects/vectors
Source-
- Institute Technology Management Unit, Project Directorate for Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut-250 110, Uttar Pradesh
